The Journey is the Reward

Well Done, Little Dude

Day 28 — If I could do one thing that is socially unacceptable and know I would not be judged, I would…

In the past few years I’ve had blood drawn over 10 times. Every time I walk into the facility I am overcome with dread, a racing pulse, and anxiety. I try to politely chat with the phlebotomist while squelching the urge to punch her in her perky face by taking deep, calming breaths.

One summer day I sat in the waiting room with a toddler. For the 15-minutes we shared the waiting room I listened to his parents spread their filthy lies about how it wasn’t going to hurt but it might feel a like a bee sting (Well, bee stings effing hurt so what’s your point?!) and try to bribe his cooperation with promises of ice cream and video games (Keep talking, People…we’ve got a ways to go before I will consider beginning negotiations). Then his number was up, they took him to the back, and reminded him exactly what bee stings feel like. I sat proudly in the waiting room applauding the little guy as I listened to him kicking and screaming and chuckled at the out of breath attempts to placate him coming from his captors parents. Well done, little dude! Make them work for it!!

Man, what I wouldn’t give for it to be socially acceptable to have a tantrum like that while I’m getting my blood drawn.

Hahahaha! Oh my, I don’t think I’d do that with my kids. So far, my daughter likes seeing the doctor for some odd reason. I don’t after spending over 8 hours in ER in the span of 2 weeks.

I’ve had my blood drawn so many times now, I’ve lost count. (it happens a lot when you’re preggers)
I’ve had it hurt a little a few times when the needle has gone in, but not a whole lot. Maybe you’ve just always encountered nurses who suck at finding a vein? LOL

It’s not so much the pain but the dread of the action. It doesn’t matter that more often than not the pain is minimal and the moment uneventful – my anxiety is always there. Each time is like the first time.